TRAVERSE CITY -- To do list? Check.
Economic recession? Check.
Bridal budgeting? Well, not really. Unlike many facets of modern life, weddings may be recession-proof.
Brides and vendors at the 15th Annual Downtown Bridal Show, held Sunday afternoon at the Park Place Dome, had more than the economy on their minds. With decisions to make, ideas to gather and a fashion show to enjoy, the once-in-a-lifetime big day rated higher than headlines and bottom lines.
Donna McDonald has seen hard economic times come and go during her 21 years running Bay Bridal Boutique, but she has rarely observed the country's fiscal worries driving wedding decisions.
"Before I went into the bridal business, I researched it somewhat and I found out that there were two businesses that would always thrive even in bad times: one was bridal and the other was funeral," McDonald said.
By offering dresses in a range of prices, the boutique allows a bride to find her dream dress and not break the bank. Even increased competition from other bridal salons opening up in Traverse City has helped, because more brides from northwest Michigan shop locally instead of heading to Grand Rapids.
"My store, if you want to walk in and you can only spend $100, I can find you a dress," she said. "I'm not a high-ticket salon where, if you don't have a pocket full of money, you can't find anything."
Tendrils of the economic downturn may be felt later in the spring as couples come in to finalize menus, said Jesse Rollo, catering and convention services manager for the Park Place Hotel. Noting that brides book his venue 12-14 months out, plans for this wedding season were made well before the current economy took hold. When it comes to choosing between prime rib and slightly less expensive chicken for the menu, he may see some economizing.
Ultimately, however, the bride's wishes rule the day.
"I think that if a bride wants to get married, she's going to get married where she wants," said Rollo, who has not seen a slowdown in bookings for the 2010 wedding season.
Stephanie Cleeves and Jeremy Cannon, both of Traverse City, attended the bridal show at the beginning of the wedding process, not yet talking about money. Still unsure whether they wanted to marry in their new town or in Marquette, where they moved from six months ago, they were searching for a venue to grab them and tip the balance.
"We're actually looking for something to wow us," said Cleeves, who is considering an "October-ish" wedding this year.
The wedding planning team of Emily Pechur, who is getting married in July, and her mother Judy have covered a lot of ground using e-mail and cell phone cameras. With Emily home from New Mexico for the holidays, they attended the bridal show to finalize some decisions, including flowers.
"She's been helping out a lot; I don't like details," said Emily Pechur.
Putting together a wedding for 150 guests has been like a full-time job for her mother, who helped finalize the venue, cake, DJ, a dress and photographer.
"I love it. I had a very small wedding, so I said that someday I'm going to help my daughter," Judy Pechur said.
Despite tying the knot two years ago, realtor Sherry White attended Sunday's event as a bride -- her sixth year modeling for Bay Bridal Boutique. Donning four gowns during a show that also featured fashions from To Have & To Hold Bridal Boutique and Captain's Quarters, White enjoys reliving the moment.
Repeatedly navigating a flight of stairs and making quick changes with complicated and heavy gowns provide a different set of worries for a model versus a bride.
"Your biggest fear is tripping because these dresses aren't fitted to you," said White, who selected a bridesmaid dress that she modeled one year for her own bridesmaids.
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